Creating Change - October 2026

October 29, 2026

Creating Change

October 2026

Happy Halloween! October has been a busy and productive month, filled with updates on legislative victories, community celebrations, and opportunities to connect with residents across Senate District 13. As we head into the final months of 2026, I'm excited to build on this momentum and continue delivering results for our communities!

In the District:

Seal of Climate Literacy Bill Signing
Delivering for our Community - Canopy and Puente
Advancing Safety on Skyline
10th Anniversary of Westlight Energy
Honoring Congresswoman Anna Eshoo
Announcing New Deputy District Coordinator, Alex Kobayashi
Community Highlight Stanford Sustainability Award
Citizens Climate Lobby Youth Rally

In the Capitol:

Legislative Update
Convening AI Safety Forums on Safety
Commemorating Delete Week
More Good News in Climate

In the District

GOVERNOR SIGNS MY SEAL OF CLIMATE LITERACY LEGISLATION

Governor Newsom signing Senator Becker’s SB 1048 during a bill signing ceremony.

Governor Newsom signed my California’s Seal of Climate Literacy for our students! The Seal is a voluntary recognition on high school diplomas for students who demonstrate an understanding of climate change through coursework and hands-on projects. It will recognize their achievements and inspire more young people to become leaders in climate action. It will inspire and recognize. Youth advocacy was instrumental in shaping this legislation, and I’m grateful to Governor Newsom for recognizing the importance of empowering young people to take an active role in California’s climate future. We cannot tackle the climate crisis without the voices, ideas, and leadership of the generations who will be most impacted by it. Thank you to our sponsors, UndauntedK12, Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and California State PTA, for helping turn the passion of our young climate advocates into meaningful action!

DELIVERING FOR OUR COMMUNITY - PUENTE AND CANOPY

Senator Becker with community leaders from Puente and Canopy.

I had the pleasure of joining community partners to celebrate $1.5 million in state investments supporting two incredible organizations making a difference across Senate District 13: Canopy and Puente de la Costa Sur!

I presented a check to Canopy in the amount of $500,000 in state funding to support urban greening, tree planting, and neighborhood environmental projects. This will help expand our urban tree canopy, create healthier neighborhoods, and strengthen our communities' resilience to climate change. Canopy's dedication to bringing the benefits of trees and green spaces to more residents is an important part of building a greener, more sustainable future.

I was also proud to present $1 million in state funding to Puente de la Costa Sur, an organization serving farmworkers, agricultural families, and rural residents along San Mateo County's South Coast. Farmworkers are essential to our region's agricultural economy, yet many face significant challenges accessing affordable housing, healthcare, transportation, and other critical resources.

Puente plays a vital role in bridging these gaps by connecting farmworkers and their families with essential services, advocating for underserved communities, and helping ensure that those who contribute so much to our region have the support and opportunities they deserve.

These investments reflect my commitment to ensuring that every corner of our district has the resources and opportunities needed to thrive. I am grateful to Canopy and Puente de la Costa Sur for their continued partnership and dedication to the communities they serve, and I look forward to seeing the lasting impact of these investments!

ADVANCING SAFETY ON SKYLINE

Senator Becker delivering remarks on Safety on State Routes 35 and 84

Senator Becker delivering remarks on the safety of State Routes 35 and 84.

On October 20, I joined Assemblymember Marc Berman and San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller for a Town Hall to address dangerous driving and speeding along State Routes 35 and 84 in the Santa Cruz Mountains. These iconic roads are shared by residents, motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians. But unsafe driving has put lives at risk and left many community members deeply concerned. We brought together Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol, and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office to discuss solutions, from safer road design to stronger enforcement. We had an enormous turnout! Most importantly, we heard directly from residents about the dangers they face and the changes they want to see. We’re turning that input into action. We will establish a Skyline Safety Solutions Task Force to coordinate engineering improvements, enforcement, and community education. I’m also exploring legislation to enable automated speed cameras at the most dangerous sections of these roads. Our goal is clear: make these roads safer for everyone who lives, works, and travels in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

WESTLIGHT ENERGY 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Senator Becker with Assemblymember Diane Papan and Burlingame Councilmember Donna Colson.

In 2016, local officials created Westlight Energy (formerly Peninsula Clean Energy) to give our communities greater control over their electricity supply. As a Community Choice Aggregator (CCA), Westlight serves more than 314,000 customers, providing electricity from cleaner energy sources while PG&E continues to deliver that power through its existing poles and wires. As the name suggests, CCAs like Westlight allow communities to choose their power purchases, set rates, and receive benefits. Westlight has been a leader in the pursuit of 24/7 clean energy, and I’ve been proud to work with them on many bills and community events. Last month, Westlight celebrated its 10th anniversary and its impressive track record, including $226 million in electricity bill savings for homes and businesses in their service territory. Westlight also presented Martha Agustin of El Concilio of San Mateo County and several local community outreach workers, known as Promotoras, with the inaugural Dave Pine Award, honoring the former San Mateo County Supervisor who was instrumental in launching Westlight.

HONORING CONGRESSWOMAN ANNA ESHOO

Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, Senator John Laird, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Assemblymember Marc Berman, Supervisor Ray Mueller, Senator Josh Becker, and Congressman Jimmy Panetta.

I had the honor of recognizing former Congresswoman Anna Eshoo alongside the Sempervirons Fund and her many friends, family and fans to dedicate a tree in Big Basin State Park. Even after her Legislative career, Congresswoman Eshoo continues to be a champion for creating a cleaner and greener California and world, promoting clean energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding preservation of California’s majestic open spaces. As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, I recognize that her work has been instrumental in preserving our ecosystem. This tree will be an outgoing monument to a great leader and an amazing friend and mentor. It is also an apt reminder that the most important work we do today will benefit future generations.

NEW DEPUTY DISTRICT COORDINATOR-- ALEX KOBAYASHI

I’m pleased to announce the promotion of Alex Kobayashi to Deputy District Coordinator. A member of my staff since I took office in 2020, he brings more than two decades of experience working in legislative offices throughout the Bay Area, building strong relationships with community members, local leaders and organizations across our region. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive experience in constituent services and community outreach with a deep understanding of the issues facing our communities. In his new role, Alex will continue to advance our office’s work on housing affordability and availability while strengthening our engagement with residents and local leaders throughout the West Valley of Santa Clara County. I’m grateful for Alex’s dedication to public service and look forward to continuing our work together to deliver meaningful results for the communities we serve.

In the Capitol

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

We set a bold and ambitious legislative agenda this year, and we delivered. Ten of my bills advanced through the Legislature and received the Governor’s signature, tackling everything from lowering electricity costs and strengthening our energy grid to protecting personal privacy, expanding housing opportunities, improving wildfire preparedness, and investing in education. Among these achievements are landmark reforms to hold utilities accountable, empower Californians to take control of their personal data, protect the Santa Cruz Mountains, and recognize students for their climate literacy. But our work doesn't stop here. I’m looking forward to pursuing the solutions to our most pressing challenges next year.

CONVENING AI FORUMS ON SAFETY

As artificial intelligence rapidly evolves, I'm working to ensure safety and accountability keep pace with innovation. This month, I attended Stanford's AI SAFE conference, where I heard from leading researchers, including Anthropic's Head of Safeguards, David Orr, while my staff supported the launch of a Latino AI literacy initiative in Redwood City.

On October 26 and 27, I convened a two-part AI Accountability Forum to hear from experts and community members about AI's opportunities, risks, and the need for stronger safeguards. Watch the forums here.

Most importantly, I announced my Frontier AI Safety Act (FAISA), first-of-its-kind legislation requiring major AI developers to dedicate a minimum percentage of their research computing resources to safety, publicly report their investments, and undergo independent verification. This isn't about slowing down AI. It's about making sure safety keeps pace with innovation.

DELETE WEEK

October marked the first ever Delete Week, and I'm spreading the word about a powerful new tool that gives Californians greater control over their personal information! Your personal information belongs to you. Let’s make the personal, personal again! Check out some of the news: A closer look: California launches Delete Week

Take control of your personal information at https://privacy.ca.gov/drop.

MORE GOOD NEWS IN CLIMATE

Good climate news keeps coming! Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed two of my bills, SB 905 and SB 913, into law to help lower electricity costs, modernize our grid, and accelerate California's clean energy transition. SB 905 reforms utility incentives to prioritize affordability and efficiency, while SB 913, the Clean Local Power Act, puts existing resources like home batteries, electric vehicles, and smart thermostats to work to strengthen grid reliability and reduce costs. I'm grateful to Governor Newsom for his leadership and commitment to ensuring California's clean energy future is also an affordable one. Read more about these exciting developments in my latest Good News Climate Blog!